Plate with engaging member

ABSTRACT

A plate that removably engages to a drinking glass is described. The plate includes an upper surface that receives a food item. The plate further includes a bottom surface. The bottom surface includes an engaging member to removably engage to the drinking glass. The engaging member may include a conical bottom of the plate, concentric ridges on the bottom of the plate, a channel or slit in the bottom of the plate, or partial curved ridges. All of these designs allow the plate to be removably engaged or secured to the top of the drinking glass.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plate that removably engages to a drinking glass.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

At many banquets, parties, balls, receptions or other types of events where food and drinks are simultaneously served, individuals are forced to engage in the unwieldy task of holding both a plate and a drinking glass at the same time, while trying to eat, drink, and engage other individuals in conversation. The individuals may have difficulty balancing both the plate and the glass, while also maintaining control of a fork, napkin, etc. Moreover, individuals at such events are inclined to meet and shake hands with other individuals. While trying to accomplish so many tasks at once, the individuals are likely to spill or lose control of their drinking glass and/or plate.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plate that removably engages to a drinking glass. The plate includes an upper surface that receives a food item. The plate further includes a bottom surface. The bottom surface includes an engaging member to removably engage to the drinking glass. The engaging member fits over or receives a rim of the drinking glass. By engaging the drinking glass, the plate is positioned on top of the drinking glass such that the plate may be temporarily stored on top of the plate. The engaging member of the plate holds the plate to the top of the drinking glass to reduce the likelihood of the plate slipping off of the top of the glass.

Typically, the plate is a cocktail plate or appetizer plate. Such plates are generally much smaller in diameter than a regular dinner plate. The size of the cocktail plate or appetizer plate is well suited to include the engaging member and be positioned on top of the drinking glass. The larger dinner plate is generally too wide in diameter to securely balance on top of the drinking glass.

The plates described herein include the engaging member to removably engage to the drinking glass. The plates generally include the upper surface that receives the food, and a bottom or the bottom surface that includes or forms the engaging member to removably engage to the drinking glass.

The use of the plate, in combination with the drinking glass, allows for the individual to hold the glass, while the plate is removably engaged to the top of the glass. The plate is secured sufficiently to the plate for the individual to walk and mingle with other individuals. The individual has a free hand to use for eating or to shake hands with another individual.

The engaging member removably engages to the plate such that the plate may be conveniently removed from the drinking glass and temporarily stored on the drinking glass. Although the plate is removably engaged to the glass, the plate will slide or fall from the glass if the glass is turned at too sharp of an angle, such as perpendicular to the ground.

The engaging member may include a conical bottom of the plate, concentric ridges on the bottom of the plate, a channel or slit in the bottom of the plate, or partial curved ridges. All of these designs allow the plate to be removably engaged or secured to the top of the drinking glass.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the first embodiment of the plate with the conical bottom.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the plate with the conical bottom.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the plate with the inner ridge and the outer ridge.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the plate with the inner ridge and the outer ridge.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the third embodiment of the plate with the channel in the bottom surface of the plate.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the plate with the channel in the bottom surface of the plate.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the channel of the third embodiment of the plate with the channel in the bottom surface of the plate.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the lined channel of the third embodiment of the plate with the channel in the bottom surface of the plate.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the fourth embodiment of the plate with the partial curved ridges extending from the bottom of the plate.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the fourth embodiment of the plate with the partial curved ridges extending from the bottom of the plate.

FIG. 5 is a view of the glass.

FIG. 6 is a view of the plate with the conical bottom engaging the glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The plates will now be described with reference to Figures. A plate 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The plate 100 includes an upper surface 110 and a bottom surface 120. The upper surface 110 may be generally flat to concave in order to hold and support the food items. A plate rim 130 extends around the diameter of the plate 100. The plate 100 may have a diameter of approximately three to approximately seven inches, with certain embodiments having a diameter of approximately four inches. The plate 100 may have an overall thickness of approximately ¼ to approximately 1 inch, with certain embodiments having a thickness of approximately ⅝ inches.

A glass 140 is shown in FIG. 5 for engagement to the plate 100. Although the glass 140 is shown as a cocktail glass, other types of glasses, including wine glasses, water glasses, pint glasses, champagne flutes, etc. may be used with the plate 100 and other plates herein described.

The bottom surface 120 of the plate 100 includes a conical bottom 150 that extends from the bottom surface 120. The bottom surface 120 includes sloping surfaces 160 that lead into or define the conical bottom 150. The conical bottom 150 provides the engaging member to removably engage to the glass 140. The conical bottom 150 further includes a generally flat support surface 155 for use when the plate 100 is set upon a table, bar, etc. The extending or protruding nature of the conical bottom 150 provides for removable engagement to the glass 140.

With reference to FIG. 5, the glass 140 includes a glass rim 180 and a glass bowl 190. The glass rim 180 is the perimeter of an upper portion of the glass 140. Glass walls 195 transition from the glass rim 180 to the glass bowl 190. The beverage is contained by the glass bowl 190. The glass rim 180 includes an interior portion 184 in the glass bowl 190. The glass rim 180 further includes an exterior portion 188 on the exterior of the glass 140. The glass rim 180 further includes an upper surface 186, which is the top surface of the glass rim 180.

As shown in FIG. 6, the conical bottom 150 of the plate 100 protrudes or extends into the glass bowl 190 when the plate 100 is set upon the glass rim 180 of the glass 140. The conical bottom 150 includes contact points 165 on the sloping surfaces 160 that physically contact a portion of the glass rim 180. Typically, the contact points 165 will contact the interior portion 184 of the glass rim 180.

When the user wishes to drink from the glass 140, the user merely grasps the plate 100 and lifts the plate 100 and its conical bottom 150 from the glass bowl 190, or the user may hold the plate 100 steady and lower the glass 140 in order to separate the plate 100 from the glass 140. After drinking from the glass 140, the user may once again set the plate 100 onto the glass 140 and engage the glass 140 to the conical bottom 150.

The sloping surfaces 160 slope at an angle of approximately 35° to 70° relative to the plate 100 in order to create a balance of the plate 100 resting on the glass 140. In other embodiments, the sloping surfaces 160 form an angle of approximately 45° to approximately 60° relative to the plate 100. The conical bottom 150 will have a diameter at the contact points 165 that is slightly less than the diameter of the glass rim 180 such that the conical bottom 150 will engage into the bowl 190.

As shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the conical bottom 150 is positioned in the interior of the glass bowl 190. The distance of extension by the conical bottom 150 into the glass bowl 190 provides a securing and removable engagement between the plate 100 and the glass 140. As such, portions of the conical bottom 150 and its support surface 155 are sitting below the glass rim 180 and into the bowl 190 of the glass 140. This configuration provides for stability and maintains the positioning of the plate 100 on the glass 140.

A second embodiment of the plate will now be described. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, a plate 200 is shown. The plate 200 includes an upper surface 210 and a bottom surface 220. The plate 200 further includes a plate rim 230. The bottom surface 220 of the plate 200 includes an inner circular ridge 150 and an outer circular ridge 170. The inner circular ridge 150 and the outer circular ridge 170 provide the engaging member to removably engage to the glass 140. The inner circular ridge 150 and the outer circular ridge 170 are arranged as concentric circular ridges with the inner circular ridge 150 being fully within the diameter of the outer circular ridge 170.

The inner circular ridge 150 includes an inner ridge surface 154 and an exterior ridge surface 158. The outer circular ridge 170 includes an inner ridge surface 174 and an exterior ridge surface 178. A portion 225 of the bottom surface 220 is located between the exterior ridge surface 158 and the inner ridge surface 174. The exterior ridge surface 158 and the inner ridge surface 174 further define a space 175.

When the plate 200 is positioned on top of the glass 140, the glass rim 180 is received into the space 175 between the exterior ridge surface 158 and the inner ridge surface 174. The upper surface 186 of the glass rim 180 receives the portion 225 of the bottom surface 220, as such, the portion 225 rests on the upper surface 186. The exterior ridge surface 158 may contact or touch the inner portion 184 of the glass 140, while the inner ridge surface 174 may touch or contact the exterior portion 188 of the glass 140.

The space 175 between the exterior ridge surface 158 and the inner ridge surface 174 should be of sufficient width to accommodate the rim 180 of the glass 140. Generally, the space 175 will range from approximately ⅕ inch to approximately ½ inch in width. The space 175 may vary depending on the type and style of the glass 140. For example, a glass 140 that is a wine glass may have a smaller wall thickness than a pint glass.

The inner circular ridge 150 has an external diameter slightly smaller than an internal diameter of the drinking glass 140, while the outer circular ridge 170 has an internal diameter slightly larger than an external diameter of the drinking glass 140. When positioned on the drinking glass 140, the inner ridge 150 is partially extending into the glass bowl 190.

A third embodiment of the glass plate is shown in FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3 b. A plate 300 is shown with an upper surface 310 and a bottom surface 320. The plate 300 includes a plate rim 330. The bottom surface 320 of the plate 300 includes a channel or a slit 360 formed in the bottom surface 320. The channel or slit 360 provides the engaging member to removably engage to the glass 140.

The channel 360 includes recessed wall 350 that leads into a channel surface 365. The recessed walls 350 further define a channel space 375. The channel 360 generally forms a circular indention or slit in the bottom surface 320 of the plate 300. The glass rim 180 is inserted into the channel 360 when the plate 300 is lowered onto the glass 140. The upper surface 186 of the glass rim 180 contacts the channel surface 365 such that the channel surface 365 is resting upon the upper surface 186. The channel 360 has a width slightly larger than a width of the rim 180 of the drinking glass 140. The channel 360 may have a curved or rectangular cross-section.

In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3C, the channel 360 may be lined with a non-stick member 395. The non-stick member may include a rubber or elastomeric material that increases the friction between the glass rim 180 and the plate 100. The non-stick material 395 may fully line the channel 360 or may intermittently be positioned in the channel 360.

A fourth embodiment of the plate is shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A. A plate 400 includes an upper surface 410 and a bottom surface 420. The plate 400 includes a plate rim 430. The bottom surface of the plate 400 includes partial curved ridges 450. The plate 400 includes a plurality of the partial curved ridges 450, which extend from the bottom surface 420 of the plate 400. The partial curved ridges 450 have a curved or arcuate shape that is complimentary to the shape of the glass rim 188. The partial curved ridges 450 provide the engaging member to removably engage to the glass 140.

Each partial curved ridge 450 includes an exterior ridge surface 454 and an inner ridge surface 458. The glass rim 180 may rest against or be adjacent to either the exterior ridge surface 454 or the inner ridge surface 458. As such, the partial curved ridges 450 may fit into the bowl 190 of the glass 140 with the exterior ridge surface 454 in contact with or adjacent to the interior portion 184 of the glass rim 180. And, in the alternative, the inner ridge surface 458 of the partial curved ridge 450 may rest against the exterior portion 188 of the glass rim 180.

The plates 100, 200, 300, and 400 may be made from typical plate manufacturing materials and using typical plate manufacturing processes. The plates 100, 200, 300, and 400 may be made from china, porcelain, stoneware, plastic, glass, stone, resins, tempered glass, etc.

It should be understood from the foregoing that, while particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the specification; instead, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the appended claims. 

1. A plate for receiving the food item, comprising: an upper surface; a bottom surface; and the bottom surface comprising an engaging member to removably engage to a drinking glass.
 2. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a conical bottom having sloping side surfaces, wherein the conical bottom extends into an open portion of a glass.
 3. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a conical bottom, the bottom surface further includes sloping side surfaces leading to the conical bottom, wherein the sloping side surfaces form an angle of approximately 45° to approximately 60° relative to the plate.
 4. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a conical bottom having sloping side surfaces, wherein the conical bottom has a diameter less than a diameter of a rim of the drinking glass.
 5. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a conical bottom having sloping side surfaces, wherein the sloping side surfaces lead into a generally flat support surface.
 6. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a conical bottom having sloping side surfaces, wherein the sloping side surfaces contact an inner portion of the drinking glass.
 7. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface comprises an inner circular ridge and an outer circular ridge.
 8. The plate according to claim 7, wherein a portion of the bottom surface between the inner circular ridge and the outer circular ridge rests on top of a rim of the drinking glass.
 9. The plate according to claim 7, wherein the inner circular ridge includes an inner ridge surface and an exterior ridge surface, and the outer circular ridge includes an inner ridge surface and an exterior ridge surface, wherein a portion of the bottom surface is positioned between the exterior ridge surface of the inner circular ridge and the inner ridge surface of the outer circular ridge, and the portion of the bottom surface contacts the glass rim.
 10. The plate according to claim 7, wherein the inner circular ridge and the outer circular ridge are arranged as concentric circles.
 11. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes an inner circular ridge and an outer circular ridge extending from the bottom surface, wherein the inner circular ridge and the outer circular ridge are positioned in a concentric manner on the bottom surface of the plate.
 12. The plate according to claim 7, wherein the inner circular ridge includes an inner ridge surface and an exterior ridge surface, and the outer circular ridge includes an inner ridge surface and an exterior ridge surface, and the glass rim is received into a space between the exterior ridge surface of the inner circular ridge and the inner ridge surface of the outer circular ridge.
 13. The plate according to claim 7, wherein the bottom surface comprises an inner circular ridge and an outer circular ridge, wherein the inner circular ridge has an external diameter slightly smaller than an internal diameter of the drinking glass, wherein the outer circular ridge has an internal diameter slightly larger than an external diameter of the drinking glass.
 14. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a circular channel or circular slit.
 15. The plate according to claim 14, wherein the circular channel or the circular slit defines a space to receive a rim of the drinking glass.
 16. The plate according to claim 14, wherein the circular channel or the circular slit has a width slightly larger than a width of a rim of the drinking glass.
 17. The plate according to claim 14, wherein the circular channel or the circular slit has a surface that contacts a rim of the drinking glass.
 18. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a circular channel or a circular slit, wherein the circular channel or the circular slit includes a non-slip member.
 19. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes a plurality of partial curved ridges that extend from the bottom surface.
 20. A plate for receiving a food item, comprising: an upper surface; a bottom surface; the bottom surface comprising an engaging member to removably engage to a drinking glass; the drinking glass comprising a rim and a bowl; and the engaging member contacting an exterior portion of the rim of the drinking glass or the engaging member extending into the bowl of the drinking glass. 